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Oman Air Appoints Chief Officer, Hotels & Catering

Date: 3 Jan 2011

Oman Air has recently appointed Richard Hodges as Chief Officer – Hotels & Catering. Richard Hodges brings with him entrenched expertise in Hotels and In-flight Catering, which meets the Company’s rapid expansion in this regard.

Hodges has over 30 years of experience in the hotel and catering industry, and has over the years held many international and corporate operating positions. Some of his former appointments include: Vice President of Business Development of Regal Hotels International, General Manager of Regal Airport Hotel in Hong Kong, and Vice President of hotel projects in San Diego, California, USA. Hodges had been the Chairman of Hong Kong Airport Managers Association, a member of the Executive Committee of Hong Kong Hotels Association, besides the Sub-committee of The American Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong.

Expressing his contentment on his appointment, Richard Hodges said:

“I am thrilled to join Oman Air and take on this immense and rewarding challenge which lies ahead of me. Oman Air is in a phase where the leisure and hospitality sector is poised for a symbiotic growth. As the airline is expanding its wings further afield, and the awareness on Oman is reaching across to a global audience, I am sure this can be translated into fruitful business ventures, with the support and guidance from Oman Air’s management team and the board of directors.”

A couple of years back, Oman Air made its initial foray into a new area of business with its acquisition of the Golden Tulip Hotel in Muscat. Situated in close proximity to the Muscat International Airport, the hotel opens up viable synergies for Oman Air not only in terms of the leisure aspect, but also through the services offered to other airlines and passengers. In order to tap the full potential of this developing business area, which is one of the six strategic business units of Oman Air, it was decided then by the management to appoint a Chief Officer for this unit reporting directly to the CEO.

Hodges’ experience in the business development of airport hotels and hospitality industry in general is sure to aid him in achieving the desired results for Oman Air in growing the Hotels & Catering Business.